Catalyst for Change In The News
Helena Independent Record - Sunday, March 8, 2024
Helena woman receives $50,000 grant to be a 'Catalyst for Change'
Amber Martinsen-Blake, Founder and CEO of Catalyst for Change
A 2002 Capital High School graduate received a $50,000 grant for her organization, Catalyst for Change, after entering in the Stanley Creators Fund program.
Amber Martinsen-Blake was raised in Helena and now lives in Big Timber where the headquarters of her organization is located. Catalyst for Change founded a mental health care system for small rural communities, giving them access to mental health care services and professionals.
PBS NewsHour Spotlight of Catalyst for Change
Breaking the Cycle of Childhood Trauma in Rural Montana
December 15, 2020 - Cat Wise & Leah Nagy
“It was started by Amber Martinsen-Blake, who had recognized there was a silent crisis taking place in the community when a survey at Grace’s high school revealed 30 percent of students had thought about suicide, and 19 percent had attempted it. Martinsen-Blake saw that the stigma against seeking mental health treatment was a fatal problem in Big Timber, including among its children. She thought the solution would be a trusted, local guide to connect people discreetly with therapists and treatment.”
National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
Catalyst for Change Executive Director Amber Martinsen-Blake
Montana Office of Rural Health 2021 COMMUNITY STAR
Amber Martinsen-Blake
November 18th, 2021
In December of 2020, PBS NewsHour aired a story focused on breaking the cycle of childhood trauma in rural Montana. In the spotlight was the non-profit organization, Catalyst for Change (CFC) and its founder Amber Martinsen-Blake. Now, nearly one year later, she is Montana’s 2021 Community Star.
Catalyst for Change – A Model for Rural Mental Health
April 11, 2022 - Voices of Montana Podcast
How can you help your rural community overcome mental health challenges? First, ask people how they are doing and get “Beyond The Weather.”
Second, listen in as we talk to Amber Martinsen-Blake, Founder and Executive Director for Catalyst for Change. The program started in Sweet Grass County and has since expanded to Wheatland County with a model that adapts to each community’s unique needs. Hear from Community Health Worker and retired Sheriff Dan Tronrud and Sweet Grass County Commissioner Bill Wallace to discuss how the telehealth service went from a grant-funded program to a county program and has now helped hundreds access life-saving Mental Health Services.
Yellowstone Public Radio on Catalyst for Change
56 Counties: Sweet Grass County - Russell Rowland
April 5, 2021
“Amber Martinsen-Blake has her Master’s in Social Work and is the Executive Director of Catalyst for Change. Amber is a third generation Montanan who was born and raised in Helena and whose ancestors homesteaded in the Wolf Point area. She is currently finishing her licensure to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who will provide therapy.
Dan Tronrud is a lifetime resident of Sweet Grass County. He and his wife reside on the family ranch that his great grandfather homesteaded over a hundred years ago. Tronrud served as Sheriff for 20 years. He was appointed to the Montana Mental Health Trust Board by the Attorney General and served for nine years until he retired from the Office of Sheriff. After retiring, he was hired by the County as a Community Health Worker specializing in mental health and addictive disorders.”
Vice News on Catalyst for Change
Rural America's ‘Double Whammy’ of Dealing with Mental Health Crises During a Pandemic - Elizabeth Mendez
May 4, 2020
“But even for those accustomed to offering online resources, the social distancing protocols brought on by COVID-19 are thwarting their outreach. Springer says she would normally make announcements and hand out flyers at sporting events. Amber Martinsen-Blake, a social worker in Montana who helps connect patients with telehealth providers, says she’d give technical assistance in person.”